Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Conference

Speakers.

• Ivanna
  Iwasykiw

  Ivanna’s personal Injury practice is focused on representing survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, revenge porn, invasions of privacy, and institutional abuse.

  Ivanna is a compassionate, practical, relentless lawyer, and a fierce advocate. She hopes that in assisting survivors in seeking justice and closure, she can help them find their power again. When not practicing law, Ivanna enjoys travelling, canoeing, hiking with her German Shepperd, fantasy books, and exploring new foods.

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• Erin
  Ellis

  Erin has over a decade of experience and a proven track record of success advocating for survivors of both recent and historical sexual and physical abuse. She represents plaintiffs from across Canada, demanding acknowledgment and compensation for the harms perpetrated or facilitated by individuals and institutions, including abuse by teachers, coaches, relatives, foster parents, doctors, and clergy.  Erin has a deep understanding of civil abuse litigation.  Her extensive experience allows her to work effectively with her clients to determine the best approach for each individual case. Erin is passionate about representing survivors and uses compassion, dedication, and strong advocacy skills to assist her clients. 

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• Natasha
  Danson

  Natasha Danson is a partner at Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc. She advises and represents clients in all areas of professional regulation, with a focus on matters related to discipline and sexual abuse. Natasha also advises regulators on employment and human resources matters and has a particular interest in human rights issues. 

  Natasha volunteers as amicus counsel at the Divisional Court for Pro Bono Ontario in addition to volunteering for the Pro Bono Ontario Free Legal Advice Hotline. She is a former member of the University Health Network’s Research and Ethics Board and a former editorial board member for the publication Health Law in Canada. 

  Natasha completed her law degree from the University of Ottawa.

• Sîpihkopiyesiw/Colleen
  Hele-Cardinal

  Sîpihkopiyesiw/Colleen Hele Cardinal is nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree) from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB but was adopted and raised in Sault Ste Marie ON. She is a community organizer, social justice advocate, student, author and kokum. Her work includes organizing six national 60s scoop gatherings in Ontario, raising the issue of the 60's scoop at an international level to the displacement and loss of identity survivors have experienced. Colleen also speaks publicly and candidly about MMIW2SG and the impacts of the 60’s Scoop drawing critical connections between colonial child welfare removal policies and her lived experiences and those of women in her family. Colleen continues to volunteer with several initiatives, including Families of Sisters in Spirit, Blackbird Medicines and the Nobel Women’s Initiative Sister to Sister Mentorship program to address gender-based violence, while giving context on the making of Canada, treaty relationships and the dehumanization of Indigenous people through policy and media. She is the author of the Ohpikiihaakan-ohpihmeh (Raised somewhere else): A 60s Scoop Adoptee’s Story of Coming Home as well as spear-heading the GIS mapping initiative Mapping the 60s Scoop Diaspora, and being awarded the Ontario Premier's Award for Outstanding Community Service. Currently Colleen is a Trauma Informed Resolution Health Support worker and Lead Facilitator for the Sixties Scoop Network / Edbendaagzijiig (e dben daag zi jig)

• Mareike
  Newhouse

  Mareike Newhouse has been a Crown prosecutor in the Toronto area since 2010. She specializes in cases involving sexual violence and vulnerable victims, including child abuse and human trafficking cases. She is presently a member of the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Sexual Violence Advisory Group, a small team of specialized prosecutors dedicated to enhancing the quality of sexual violence prosecutions and improving victims’ experiences in the criminal justice system. In addition to conducting sexual assault prosecutions, Mareike provides training and advice on sexual violence cases to police, Crown counsel, and other justice system participants across the province.